On 27 January 2021 the Northern Cape was hit by cyclone Eloise. This cyclone left carnage in its path, uprooting trees, destroying roads and threatening the livelihoods of inland fishers in Gariep, Vanderkloof, Norvalspont, Venterstad and Oviston.
The overflowing of the Vanderkloof and Gariep dam has made it incredibly difficult for fishers to secure their livelihoods. The high-water levels have resulted in slow and small catches, making it impossible for fishers to harvest any fish. Some fishers have had to fish in restricted areas in order to carry out their livelihoods.
“I have had to switch to another fishing area in order to catch any fish. I fish near the old Eskom plant in Gariep now since the rains have filled the dams to capacity. We are not allowed to fish in this area but we are forced to trespass in order to put food on the table for our families. We are just trying to survive, explains Wilfred Saul an inland fisher from Norvalspont.
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has to failed to provide any assistance to inland fisher during this natural disaster.
While the overflowing dams may present challenge for others fisher, anglers from Rolfontein and Petrusville are cherishing this moment. The full dams have been advantageous offering bigger catches of Carp.